Youth Parliament debates environmental issues
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVIbes.com
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Junior Parliamentarians
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SIXTEEN young aspiring individuals from across the nation were today (Sep. 25) addressing the importance of the environment at an official Parliamentary Sitting organised by the St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA).
The debate, which took place at the Parliamentary Chambers in Government Headquarters, highlighted the immense relevance that the environment has to human (present and future) sustainability. It also addressed the untapped potential contained in the environment for development of the country through the exploitation of natural and human resources.
One of the major highlights of the event was a presentation of a booklet published by SKNYPA to the Minister of Youth and Education, Hon. Sam Condor, simplifying five of the fundamental constitutional rights, including Freedom of Conscience, Expression, Movement, Assembly and Association and Protection from Discrimination.
SKNYPA openly thanked Tapley Seaton QC for his assistance in compiling the booklet and Randolph Hamilton for assistance
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| President SKNYPA Azilla Clarke presents booklet of simplified Constitutional Rights to the Minister of Youth and Education Hon. Sam Condor |
offered during the preparation for the Parliament Sitting.
The Sitting focussed on three main aspects of the environment: Climate Change, Food and Energy Scarcity and the Marine Environment.
The arguments surrounding Climate Change specifically addressed declaring Basseterre a “Green Zone”, removing the environmental levy on environmentally friendly cars, promoting eco-tourism and heritage tourism as well as recycling projects throughout the Federation.
Promoting ‘buy local’, aquaculture, designation of agricultural lands and continuing research and feasibility studies on alternative sources of energy were all addressed in relation to Food and Energy Scarcity.
Additionally, discussions on the Marine Environment underscored the need for designation of marine protected areas, research to ascertain the current conditions of marine resources in the country, and the allocation of more funds to enhance new and existing enforcement measures.
~~Adz:Left~~ Prominent member of SKNYPA and Leader of the Government for the debates, Jihan Williams, told SKNVibes how pleased she was with the quality of the presentations and applauded the young debaters on recognising the significance of discussing such an issue of great concern.
“We’re very happy with the performance of the Youth Parliamentarians. They put a lot of time and energy into preparation and delivery of their presentations. SKNYPA acknowledges that owing to the nature of the group, we have a mandate to inform the public on the issues that affect us, especially as young people, so we try our best to ensure that our information is accurate and relevant.
“We chose the issues of debate because we felt that as a nation, not enough attention is being paid to climate change and the effects that it will have on us as a small island developing state. We really hope that our debate inspires public discussion and awareness,” Williams explained.
The Association greatly believes that if the government does not introduce measures of intervention and innovation to govern the use of the nation’s natural resources, it would severely compromise the physical, economic, cultural and social character and stability of the country.
